Physiological responses of Cladophora glomerata to cyanotoxins: a potential new phytoremediation species for the Green Liver Systems

Due to increased pollution of potable water sources as a consequence of eutrophication and anthropogenic xenobiotics, sustainable water purification is an essential concern. Therefore, the Green Liver System, a natural, economic and sustainable water purification system employing the biotransformation capabilities of aquatic plants, was developed. To expand the capacities and applications of this system, new aquatic plants are continually evaluated for their potential to remediate various aquatic pollutants. In this study, the potential of Cladophora glomerata to internalize cyanotoxins, microcystins (MCs) and anatoxin-a, and consequently its ability to cope with the subsequent oxidative stress associated with toxin-uptake were investigated. C. glomerata was able to take up all three of the tested MC congeners as well as anatoxin-a, similarly to previous toxin internalizations reported for aquatic plants such as Ceratophyllum demersum, Myriophyllum spicatum and Hydrilla versiculata. The antioxidative stress defense of C. glomerata proved to efficiently endure the toxin-uptake with no adverse effects. Subsequently, the uptake potential of C. glomerata was investigated at lab-scale by exposure to the three MC congeners and anatoxin-a collectively. After a period of seven days, 95–97% of the MCs and 100% of anatoxin-a were removed from the exposure media. C. glomerata therefore, is a suitable candidate to be incorporated in future Green Liver Systems.     

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia: Experience with 16 cases

We have carried out first-trimester prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia in 1 6 pregnancies with a 1 in 4 risk of this condition. The liver/bone/kidney isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase was measured in chorionic villus samples using a specific monoclonal antibody and an enzymatic amplification system. Fifteen of the 16 pregnancies were correctly predicted, while one has been lost to follow up. We suggest that this assay system is likely to be superior to DNA-base methods for the first-trimester prenatal diagnosis of hypophosphatasia.     

Biomarker responses as indication of contaminant effects in Oreochromis niloticus

The current study investigated oxidative stress parameters (enzymes activities, metallothionein content and lipid peroxidation) in freshwater fish, Oreochromis niloticus, tilapia exposure to Monjolinho River (in 4 months of year: January, April, July and November). One critical site in Monjolinho River (site B) was assessed in comparison to a reference site (site A). Water pH and oxygen concentration was lower than that recommended by CONAMA (Brazilian National Environmental Committee), resolution 357/2005 for protection of aquatic communities, and ammonium and the metals Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe (on all months) concentrations were higher than the maximum concentration recommended. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly decreased in liver and muscle in tilapia from Monjolinho River, throughout the year, in relation to reference except in gills that SOD activity increased. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was significantly increased in liver of the tilapia from Monjolinho River in all sites, in relation to reference except in gills that GST activity increased in July and decreased in November, suggesting that GST activity could be induced to neutralize the pollutants toxicity. On the other hand, GST activity was significantly decreased in white muscle indicating a toxic effect of pollutants, resulting in a decreased ability of tilapia to perform defense reactions associated to GSTs. The decrease of catalase (CAT) activity in gills of the O. niloticus together with the increase of SOD activity, could explain the increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) level in this organ. Metallothionein levels in liver and gills were significantly high in all sites. Results indicate that the exposure to metals caused severe damage to tissues; despite the consensually assumed antioxidant induction as a sign of exposure to contaminants the effects seem in part to be mediated by suppression of antioxidant system with SOD, CAT and GPx as potential candidates for tissues toxicity biomarkers of pollutants.     

Long-term toxicology and carcinogenicity of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

Carcinogenesis bioassays were conducted by giving 2,4,6-trichlorophenol [2,4,6-TCP] in feed to groups of 50 male and female Fischer rats and male B6C3F1 mice for two years. Dietary concentrations were 0 [20/group], 5000 [0.5%], or 10,000 [1%] ppm. Female mice began with 10,000 and 20,000 ppm but after 38 weeks were lowered due to reduced body weights to 2500 and 5000 ppm for 67 weeks; exposures averaged 5200 and 10,400 ppm. Adverse effects at two years were leukocytosis and monocytosis of peripheral blood and hyperplasia of bone marrow in both sexes of rats. In mice, liver toxicity, including individual liver cell abnormalities, focal areas of cellular alteration, and focal and nodular areas of hyperplasia were commonly present. Regarding carcinogenic activity, TCP caused leukemias/lymphomas in male rats, and possibly in female rats and female mice as well, and induced liver tumors in male and female mice. Using NTP categories of evidence indicates ‘clear evidence of carcinogenicity’ for male rats [hematopoietic system tumors]; ‘equivocal evidence of carcinogenicity’ for female rats [hematopoietic system tumors]; ‘clear evidence of carcinogenicity’ for male and female mice [liver tumors].     

Changes in lipid profiles of liver microsomes of rats following intratracheal administration of DDT or endosulfan

Abstract

The effect of intratracheal administration of DDT (5 mg/100 g body weight) or endosulfan (1 mg/100 g body weight) to rats for three consecutive days, has been studied on liver lipid metabolism. The administration of DDT but not endosulfan significantly increased the liver weight and the microsomal protein contents. Both DDT and endosulfan treatments significantly increased the contents of microsomal phosphatidylcholine (PC), total‐free‐ and esterified cholesterol. The distribution of unsaturated fatty acids of microsomal PC and PE was increased by DDT treatment. The intratracheal administration of DDT caused fatty infiltration of liver which was probably due to increased synthesis of triglycerides (TG). This is supported by the increased incorporation of radioactive palmitate‐l‐¹⁴C into microsomal TG. However, the increased incorporation of palmitate‐l‐¹⁴C into microsomal PC and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) after the DDT treatment, was due to the increased transacylation reaction supported by the decreased activity of microsomal phospholipase A. The intratracheal adminstration of endosulfan did not has pronounced effect on liver fatty infiltration, or transacylation reaction in microsomal PC and PE. However, the results have shown that the treatments of DDT or endosulfan increased the PC contents and the incorporation of radioactive [methyl‐³H]choline into PC of microsomes, resulting the increased synthesis of PC via CDPcholine pathway. Thus, the intratracheally administered DDT or endosulfan to rats showed that both the insecticides cause manifestations in the biochemistry of microsomal membrane lipids, although the effects of DDT being more pronounced. Therefore, the translocation effects of these insecticides or metabolites from lung to liver is established.     

Mechanistic aspects of the thermal formation of halogenated organic compounds including polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins. Part IV†: Incorporation of inorganic chlorine into organic matter and thermochemical aromatizations

The pyrolysis and chlorination of petroleum coke in a NaCl‐KCl melt results in the production of CCl₄ and C₆Cl₆. Polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins (PCDDs) are produced from the air oxidation and chlorination of coal using HCl or Cl₂. Smoking of tobacco containing ³⁶Cl^e provides CH₃ ³⁶Cl.

At 350°C, the rateof aromatization of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene is negligible as compared to that of 1,4‐cyclohexadiene. The aromatization of the latter diene proceeds through the molecular elimination of hydrogen; while that of 1,3‐cyclohexadiene expecially at higher pressure (10–90 Torr) and at 362–421 °C involves free radical chain mechanism.     

Contamination by mercury and cadmium in the cetacean products from Japanese market

Cetaceans hunted coastally in Japan include several species of odontocete (dolphins, porpoises and beaked whales), and fresh and frozen red meat and blubber, as well as boiled internal organs, such as liver, lung, kidney and small intestine, are still sold for human consumption. Furthermore, red meat and blubber products originating from mysticete minke whales caught in the Antarctic and Northern Pacific are also sold for human consumption. We surveyed mercury and cadmium contamination levels in boiled liver, lung, kidney and red meat products being marketed in Japanese retail outlets. We also analyzed the DNA of these products to obtain information concerning gender and species. Total mercury (T-Hg) and methyl mercury (M-Hg) contamination levels in all the cetacean products were markedly higher in odontocete species than in mysticete species, and slightly higher in females than in males. T-Hg contamination in the organs was seen in the following order: boiled liver > boiled KIDNEY=boiled lung > red meat. In particular, T-Hg concentrations in the boiled liver were high enough to cause acute intoxication even from a single ingestion: the mean ±SD (range) of T-Hg was 388 ± 543 (0.12–1980) μg/wet g. In contrast, although M-Hg contamination in the liver was not markedly higher than that in other organs, M-Hg contamination was in the following order: boiled liver > odontocete red meat > boiled kidney > boiled lung. The contamination levels of T-Hg and M-Hg in odontocete red meat, the most popular whale product, were 8.94 ± 13.3 and 5.44 ± 5.72 μg/wet g, respectively. These averages exceeded the provisional permitted levels of T-Hg (0.4 μg/wet g) and M-Hg (0.3 μg/wet g) in marine foods set by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare by 22 and 18 times, respectively, suggesting the possibility of chronic intoxication by T-Hg and M-Hg with frequent consumption of odontocete red meat. Cadmium contamination levels in boiled liver, kidney and lung were 8.59 ± 12.0, 10.4 ± 8.6 and 1.66 ± 1.27 (μg/wet g), respectively.     

PM2.5 exposure induces age-dependent hepatic lipid metabolism disorder in female mice

Particulate matter exposure has been described to elevate the risk of lung and cardiovascular diseases.An increasing number of recent studies have indicated positive correlations between PM_(2.5)(the fraction of airborne particles with an aerodynamic diameter less than2.5 μm) exposure and the risk of liver diseases.However,research on the effects of PM_(2.5)exposure on liver fat synthesis,secretion,and clearance mechanisms under normal diet conditions is limited,and whether these effects are age-dependent is largely unknown.Female C57BL/6 mice at different ages(4 weeks(4 w),4 months(4 m),and 10 months(10 m))were treated with 3 mg/kg body weight of PM_(2.5) every other day for 4 weeks.Subsequently,the ultrastructural changes of liver,the expression of genes involved in oxidative damage and lipid metabolism in the liver were examined.Observation of hepatic ultrastructure showed more and larger lipid droplets in the livers of 4-week-old and 10-month-old mice exposed to PM_(2.5).Further analysis showed that PM_(2.5) exposure increased the expression of genes related to lipid synthesis,but decreased the expression of genes involved in lipid transport and catabolism in the livers of 10-month-old mice.Our findings suggest that exposure to PM_(2.5) disrupts the normal metabolism of liver lipids and induces lipid accumulation in the liver of female mice in an age-dependent manner,with older mice being more susceptible to PM_(2.5).     

Liver histopathology of the sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus as a biomarker of aquatic pollution

This paper reports on a comparative perspective of liver histopathological data of the sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus. The data was collected from a spectrum of relatively un-impacted and isolated, to polluted, eutrophic freshwater ecosystems. Results were compared between regional areas, by combining data from freshwater systems which has a similar pollution status and/or is located within the same geographical region. Measurements included necropsy observations, semi-quantitative liver histopathology (Liver Index), and selected biometrical indices. The aim was to establish whether the results of these measurements would differ between, and/or reflect the pollution status of, the different freshwater aquatic ecosystems. The histopathological analysis showed a higher prevalence of toxicopathic non-neoplastic, and pre-neoplastic alterations in C. gariepinus from the polluted sites. We also found a significant difference between the Liver Index, hepatosomatic index, and condition factor values of fish inhabiting impoundments known to be polluted, compared to the same species from the selected reference sites. Fish from polluted sites also had more macroscopic liver abnormalities. The results suggest that the liver histopathology of this bio-indicator fish species could be a useful biomarker of freshwater aquatic pollution.     

Antioxidant response versus selenium accumulation in the liver and kidney of the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri)

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of selenium on concentrations of metabolites and enzyme activities acting as antioxidant markers in liver and kidney of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baeri. Sturgeons were fed selenium cysteine for 30 and 60 d at 1.25, 5, 20 mg Se kg⁻¹. Selenium level in the control feed was 0.32 mg kg⁻¹. Se concentration was measured in liver, kidney and muscle of every specimen. Sturgeon accumulated Se in tissues with a clear dose-response relationship and the highest Se concentration was recorded in liver. This outcome is lined up with the findings obtained on the antioxidant markers evaluated in both tissues, and in which a dose-response for several biomarkers was recorded in liver. The superoxide dismutase activity in Se-treated fish was generally induced, while catalase activity was lower in liver or unaltered in kidney. The concentrations of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase and total glutathione responded differently for both tissues and were induced in a different way at both endpoints. No changes of glyoxalase I activity were noted for both Se-treated tissues, while for glyoxalase II enzyme in liver a dose-related pattern was found showing a reversible effect (decreased and increased counteractive response) only in the 5 mg kg⁻¹ group. Moreover, the highest Se concentrations did not cause marked changes in malondialdehyde levels of liver and kidney. The enhancement of glutathione peroxidase activity in Se-treated sturgeon might have prevented the lipid peroxidation in both tissues, providing to the Siberian sturgeon a great defense ability versus the prooxidant effect of selenium.